MISSION STATEMENT​​The Canadian Métis Council/Métis Genealogical Centre of Canada (CMC/MGCC) is dedicated to the concerns of the Métis people regarding culture, harvesting rights, education, health, youth, justice and other related issues. CMC/MGCC is also dedicated to the promotion of Métis culture and history. CMC/MGCC also encourages involvement of our members with other political and cultural organizations.

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BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP CARD

Sense of CommunityPrideRepresentation of RightsPrograms Education - For applying for Grants and Scholarships Workplace - for employment under the Aboriginal, Métis, Inuit ​Harvesting/Fishing Rights (Pending)MAY qualify you for subsidized housing through Urban Native Homes A form of photo identification​This card entitles you to updates of our activities.

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WHO ARE THE MÉTIS?

“The term Métis refers to a collective of cultures and ethnic identities that resulted from unions between Aboriginal and European people. The word initially referred to the children of these relationships, but over generations it came to refer to the distinct cultural identities these communities developed. The word Métis has shifted from referring to a single cultural, to applying to multiple identities that have arisen from diverse historical instances of Aboriginal-European heritage.”

​Our Métis Nation was started long ago when the Europeans made first contact with the Aboriginals in the Eastern parts of Canada. Many European men married Aboriginal women and the creation of the Métis Nation was born. The First Métis were registered in the late 1500's and early 1600's by Priests. The Priests first registered the Métis as Métissage which means mixed blood in French and this is where the Métis term comes from. The Métis Children who were born from this union were taught both cultures, European and Aboriginal. Later on the Métis mixed both cultures and beliefs and made them their own distinct culture. This way the Métis Children were learning about both ancestral cultures and beliefs and not favoring one over the other. Later on the French were expelled from the Maritimes in 1755. Not only the French, but who ever were affiliated with the French. which includes the First Nations and Métis. There were many Métis who were never caught and fled to other parts of the Provinces in Canada, and the United States and continued practicing and teaching their Métis culture and Beliefs. Later on the French and Métis returned to the Eastern parts of Canada with their Métis children and Aboriginal families. They lived peacefully for a few years then again the Métis had to flee if they were not to be treated the same as their First Nation family members. The Métis who stayed had to deny they were Aboriginal and lie to government officials and declare their heritage as French and secretly practice their culture and beliefs. If they did not want their children to be taken and sent away to Residential Schools, to keep their lands, and also keep their jobs, and to buy certain foods in stores, and not just get store credit. Aboriginal People were very discriminated against in those years. This is why a lot of Métis families were scared to state their Aboriginal ties. This is not just in the Eastern parts of Canada but also in the Southern, Western, and Northern parts of Canada. Today, there are a lot of Métis people who are finally able to state they are proud of who they are, and are not scared to speak up for their Ancestors. Métis people are still practicing their culture and beliefs and are still teaching their children their Heritage.

We as a Nation have come a long way. We have risen above all discrimination, and became a very strong Nation for future generations to be proud of. We must never forget what struggles our Ancestors have gone through to get us here, and our history teaches us that. We must always be proud of who we are and share our teachings with the younger generations. As they are our future, and it is them who will continue our Métis Nation.